Palace confirms executive clemency granted to Jed Mabilog

Malacañang on Monday confirmed that President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has granted executive clemency to former Iloilo City mayor Jed Mabilog. 

''Yes, that's true,'' Executive Lucas Bersamin told Palace reporters when asked for confirmation on the matter. 

In a separate statement, Bersamin said the granting of executive clemency was in view of Mabilog's long standing commitment to good governance, coupled with awards and recognition received by Iloilo City under his leadership.

Bersamin said Marcos has granted Mabilog's petition for executive clemency ''in connection with his administrative case, thereby removing the penalties or disabilities resulting from such case.''

The Presidential Communications Office said the executive clemency was in relation to the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman last October 23, 2017, dismissing Mabilog after finding him guilty of serious dishonesty for his failure to explain his alleged questionable wealth worth P8.9 million from 2012 to 2013.

Bersamin, meanwhile, answered in affirmative when asked if Mabilog could run again for government post after the executive clemency was granted. 

Meanwhile, Mabilog is facing another graft charges before the Sandiganbayan filed against him and councilor Plaridel Nava II by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2023 over their alleged intervention in the awarding of a government contract to a towing services firm where they have an interest in.

To recall, it was in September last year when Mabilog posted bail over the graft charges.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte included Mabilog in his drug watch list in 2016. Mabilog has since maintained his innocence, saying he found his inclusion in the list "very unfortunate and disconcerting."

In a separate interview, Bersamin said the accusation against Mabilog on illegal drugs is already irrelevant.

''President Duterte accused him of being the drug lord in Iloilo City, whether that is true or not, that is irrelevant now,'' Bersamin said.

'Vindication'

In a separate statement sent to reporters, Mabilog thanked Marcos for granting him executive clemency, noting that what happened was a vindication from the wrongful cases filed against him.

''I am personally grateful to God and Pres. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for granting me this executive clemency,'' Mabilog said. ''This serves not just as a vindication for the wrongful and deceitful cases filed against me but as the triumph of justice in this country.''

He said his seven years of ''exile'' taught him lessons such as the importance of love and integrity in building and rebuilding the community.

''This administration upholds justice, which people like me, who are unjustly accused, can somehow be confident to avail themselves of vindication,'' Mabilog said.

Meanwhile, former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said the pardon granted on Mabilog was a ''reward for attacking and besmirching the integrity and reputation of former Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who is a critic of the administration.'' —AOL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News